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1 Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP) for streams & rivers in SE Queensland, Australia? Fran Sheldon Fran Sheldon Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University 2 Background to the region and the Healthy Waterways Partnership Designing the Monitoring Program – Focus on the process used to develop a cost-effective monitoring program Linking monitoring and restoration – Echidna Creek Using the data to explore long-term trends The Program in 2009 – where to now Lecture Outline

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Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP) for streams & rivers in SE Queensland, Australia?

Fran SheldonFran Sheldon

Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith UniversityAustralian Rivers Institute, Griffith University

2

• Background to the region and the Healthy Waterways Partnership

• Designing the Monitoring Program – Focus on the process used to develop a cost-effective

monitoring program• Linking monitoring and restoration – Echidna

Creek• Using the data to explore long-term trends• The Program in 2009 – where to now

Lecture Outline

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15 major catchments22,353 km2

Background to the study region

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Importance of the region’s waterways:• High conservation signficance (Ramsar)• Major commercial and recreational fisheries• Water supply (urban and rural)• Recreation and transport

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1881 19911947

<3030-250250-5,000 Persons km-2

The human footprint: • 20% of original vegetation remains - less adjacent to streams

• Altered hydrology - dams & weirs• Declining water quality (nutrients & sediment)• Declines in aquatic diversity

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www.healthywaterways.org

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Having a common vision:

“South-east Queensland’s catchments and waterways will, by 2020, be healthy living ecosystems supporting the livelihoods and lifestyles of people in South-east Queensland and will be managed in collaboration between community, government and industry.”

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Achieving the vision:

• Set values that reflect the vision

• Measurable water quality objectives that protect the values

• Management actions to achieve these objectives

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A Staged Approach: Stage 2- Moreton Bay

Stage 11994-1997

ScopingStage 2

1997-1999

MoretonBay

Stage 31999-2001

Catchments

2001-2004

WaterManagement

2004-2007

Land toSea

2007-2009

SustainableRegions

On-going Partnership

Councils, State Government & NHTFunding

Designed Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program; produced environmental monitoring report cards.Monitoring

Fate, transport & impacts of sediments nutrients & toxicants in Moreton Bay

ResearchDeveloped Water Quality Management StrategyStrategy

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Stage 3 - Focus on Catchments

Stage 11994-1997

ScopingStage 2

1997-1999

MoretonBay

Stage 31999-2001

Catchments

2001-2004

WaterManagement

2004-2007

Land toSea

2007-2009

SustainableRegions

On-going Partnership

Councils, State Government & NHT, ARC, CRCs($17 Million over 3 years)Funding

Implemented Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program; Designed freshwater monitoring programMonitoring

Source of sediments and nutrients identified; In-stream processes studied, Lyngbya investigations

Research

Revised Strategy; Riparian rehabilitation methods and priorities setStrategy

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Aim of DIBM3To develop a cost-effective, coordinated ecosystem health monitoring program (EHMP) for freshwaters of the region that is able to measure and report on current and future changes in ecological health.

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The process

Drop indicatorDrop indicator

Majorfieldstudy

Majorfieldstudy

Review ofclassification

Develop water quality guidelines

Ecosystem Health Monitoring ProgramEcosystem Health Monitoring Program

No

Identifypotential indicators

Develop Conceptual models

Pilot studies

Catchment-scaleclassificationYesNo

PHASE

1

Isindicator proven?

Doesindicatorwork?

Yes

No YesDoesindicatorperform?

PHASE

2

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ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES BIOLOGICAL PATTERNS1 Amino acids in algae 28 Genetic structure of population2 Benthic metabolism 29 Structure and function of fish communities3 Tracking sewage Nitrogen using δ15N 30 Structure and function of in-stream habitat4 Tracking catchment disturbance using δ15N 31 Structure and function of macrophyte communities5 Tracking Carbon using 13C 32 Structure and function of riparian vegetation6 Food web structure 33 Structure and function of invertebrate communities7 Nitrogen cycling - denitrification 34 Structure of benthic microbial community8 Filamentous algae – nutrient or shade limitation 35 Structure and function of benthic algal community9 Filamentous algae – using tiles as substrate 36 Structure and function of diatom community10 Chlorophyll a - as measure of productivity 37 Structure and function of frog community11 Measures of resilience 38 Blue-green algae – presence/absence12 Microbial processing in sediments 39 Macrophyte condition13 Depth of biological activity in sediments 40 Fish condition / Fish kills14 Macrophyte biomass measure of productivity 41 Recreational fish catch & extent of fish stocking

42 Health and presence of “megafauna” (eg. platypus)HUMAN HEALTH 43 Presence of exotic species

15 Coliform counts 44 Asymmetry / high rates of deformities16 Chryptosporidium counts 45 Bio-accumulation17 Giardia counts

WATER PHYSICO-CHEMISTRYDIRECT MEASURES OF DISTURBANCE 46 Nutrient concentrations

18 Riparian canopy – Hemiphot assessment 47 Nutrient flux from sediments19 Extraction: un/licenced 48 Colour20 Weirs: presence and effects 49 Salinity/conductivity21 Hydrological deviation 50 Temperature22 Extent of flow regulation 51 Dissolved oxygen – snapshot measures23 Assessments of channel integrity 52 Dissolved oxygen – diel measures24 Pins for measuring erosion 53 Turbidity25 Floodplain area 54 Pesticides – snapshot measures26 Presence of rubbish in urban drains 55 Pesticides – integrative measures27 Encroachment of terrestrial vegetation 56 Alkalinity - ionic composition

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The process

Drop indicatorDrop indicator

Majorfieldstudy

Majorfieldstudy

Review ofclassification

Develop water quality guidelines

Ecosystem Health Monitoring ProgramEcosystem Health Monitoring Program

No

Identifypotential indicators

Develop Conceptual models

Pilot studies

Catchment-scaleclassificationYesNo

PHASE

1

Isindicator proven?

Doesindicatorwork?

Yes

No YesDoesindicatorperform?

PHASE

2

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ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES BIOLOGICAL PATTERNS1 Amino acids in algae 28 Genetic structure of population2 Benthic metabolism 29 Structure and function of fish communities3 Tracking sewage Nitrogen using δ15N 30 Structure and function of in-stream habitat4 Tracking catchment disturbance using δ15N 31 Structure and function of macrophyte communities5 Tracking Carbon using 13C 32 Structure and function of riparian vegetation6 Food web structure 33 Structure and function of invertebrate communities7 Nitrogen cycling - denitrification 34 Structure of benthic microbial community8 Filamentous algae – nutrient or shade limitation 35 Structure and function of benthic algal community9 Filamentous algae – using tiles as substrate 36 Structure and function of diatom community10 Chlorophyll a - as measure of productivity 37 Structure and function of frog community11 Measures of resilience 38 Blue-green algae – presence/absence12 Microbial processing in sediments 39 Macrophyte condition13 Depth of biological activity in sediments 40 Fish condition / Fish kills14 Macrophyte biomass measure of productivity 41 Recreational fish catch & extent of fish stocking

42 Health and presence of “megafauna” (eg. platypus)HUMAN HEALTH 43 Presence of exotic species

15 Coliform counts 44 Asymmetry / high rates of deformities16 Chryptosporidium counts 45 Bio-accumulation17 Giardia counts

WATER PHYSICO-CHEMISTRYDIRECT MEASURES OF DISTURBANCE 46 Nutrient concentrations

18 Riparian canopy – Hemiphot assessment 47 Nutrient flux from sediments19 Extraction: un/licenced 48 Colour20 Weirs: presence and effects 49 Salinity/conductivity21 Hydrological deviation 50 Temperature22 Extent of flow regulation 51 Dissolved oxygen – snapshot measures23 Assessments of channel integrity 52 Dissolved oxygen – diel measures24 Pins for measuring erosion 53 Turbidity25 Floodplain area 54 Pesticides – snapshot measures26 Presence of rubbish in urban drains 55 Pesticides – integrative measures27 Encroachment of terrestrial vegetation 56 Alkalinity - ionic composition

Reduced list of indicators

16

Indicators trialed in pilot studies

• Fish as bioindicators• Nutrient flux• Denitrification• Benthic metabolism • Tiles for algal growth• Microbes as bioindicators• Amino acid composition of plants

field trial

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The process

Drop indicatorDrop indicator

Majorfieldstudy

Majorfieldstudy

Review ofclassification

Develop water quality guidelines

Ecosystem Health Monitoring ProgramEcosystem Health Monitoring Program

No

Identifypotential indicators

Develop Conceptual models

Pilot studies

Catchment-scaleclassificationYesNo

PHASE

1

Isindicator proven?

Doesindicatorwork?

Yes

No YesDoesindicatorperform?

PHASE

2

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• Show how healthy ecosystems function

• Show how they respond to human disturbance

• Indicate critical components in the ecosystem to target for monitoring

• Highlight appropriate management actions for rehabilitation

Task: Conceptual models

Ecosystem processes

GPP R24N and P Sediment

Highly Impacted Site

SEQRWQMS 2001

GPP R24

Minimally Impacted Site

Nutrients Sediment

SEQRWQMS 2001

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The process

Drop indicatorDrop indicator

Majorfieldstudy

Majorfieldstudy

Review ofclassification

Develop water quality guidelines

Ecosystem Health Monitoring ProgramEcosystem Health Monitoring Program

No

Identifypotential indicators

Develop Conceptual models

Pilot studies

Catchment-scaleclassificationYesNo

PHASE

1

Isindicator proven?

Doesindicatorwork?

Yes

No YesDoesindicatorperform?

PHASE

2

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Task: Classification of SEQ riversTo identify classes of freshwaters

1. Ensure comparisons are valid• Compare apples with apples• Develop water quality guidelines

2. Assist in site selection• Stratify sites across region

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ClassificationBased on 4 variables

– rainfall – altitude– slope– stream size

4 groups– Upland (red)– Lowland (blue)– South Coastal (green)– North Coastal (light blue)

Classification of south eastQueensland streams

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The process

Drop indicatorDrop indicator

Majorfieldstudy

Majorfieldstudy

Review ofclassification

Develop water quality guidelines

Ecosystem Health Monitoring ProgramEcosystem Health Monitoring Program

No

Identifypotential indicators

Develop Conceptual models

Pilot studies

Catchment-scaleclassificationYesNo

PHASE

1

Isindicator proven?

Doesindicatorwork?

Yes

No YesDoesindicatorperform?

PHASE

2

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Major field trial

• Disturbance Gradient Approach to detecting impact•Define a disturbance gradient

• Objective comparisons - at same sites and times

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1. Ag. Landuse- % Cleared- % Cropping- % Grazing

Catchment

2. Waterchemistry

3. Flow variables

Both

4. Riparian condition5. In-stream habitat6. Channel condition

Reach

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Field trialresponse to disturbance

Disturbance gradientLow High

Ecol

ogic

al h

ealt

h in

dica

tor

Reference values

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Disturbance gradientLow High

Ecol

ogic

al h

ealt

h in

dica

tor

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Each indicator assessed• same equipment• same operators• same place• same time• same analysis

ReferenceTest

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Results of major field trial

1 Macroinvertebrates2 Fish 3 Water chemistry4 Metabolism5 Nutrients

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Standardised analysis protocol

• Allows direct comparison of indicators• Generalised linear modelling approach• Allows partitioning of variance

Disturbance category

App

roxi

mat

e r

2 %

Land

use

%

Chan

nel c

ondi

tion

%

Ripa

rian

con

diti

ons

%

Wat

er c

hem

istr

y %

In-s

trea

m h

abit

at %

Flow

rel

ated

%

% Exotic individuals 87 12 0 14 14 35 12

% Native Species 73 11 13 17 13 17 2

Fish assemblage O/E 50 65 11 12 0 11 31 0N. Armstrong

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18 indices assessed

Macroinvertebrates

Associated primarily with Landuse & Riparian condition

6 indices proposed for inclusion in EHMPRichness (r2 = 58%)PET (r2 = 71%)SIGNAL (r2 = 67%)

x 2 habitats

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Fish

9 indices assessed

Associated primarily with in-stream habitat3 indices proposed for inclusion in EHMP

% of native species expected (r2 = 73%)Fish assemblage O/E (r2 = 65%)% exotic individuals (r2 = 87%)

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Water Quality

27 indices assessed6

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8

9

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MIDDAYMIDNIGHT

DO

(mg/

l)

Associated primarily with Landuse & Channel condition5 indices proposed for inclusion in EHMP

Diel ∆ Temperature (includes max/min) (r2 = 60%)Diel ∆ DO (includes max/min) (r2 = 82%)pH (r2 = 46%); Alkalinity (r2 = 52%)Conductivity (r2 = 60%)

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Metabolism

5 indices assessed

Associated primarily with water chemistry & riparian condition

3 indices proposed for inclusion in EHMPGPP (r2 = 89%)R24 (r2 = 91%)δ13C (r2 = 92%)

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Nutrient cycling

9 indices assessed Associated primarily with water chemistry

2 indicators proposed for inclusion in EHMPAlgal bioassay (mean r2 = 64%)δ15N - plants (r2 = 79%)

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Reducing redundancy

• Within indicator types• Between indicator types

• Consider level of training required

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Redundancy within groups

r2 = 0.47

0

500

1000

1500

2000

0 1000 2000 3000GPP cobble

R24

Cob

ble

dr2 = 0.74

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 0.5 1 1.5FISH O/E

FIS

H R

ichn

ess

c

r2 = 0.59

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 100 200 300 400 500Alkalinity

pH

ar2 = 0.64

20

30

40

50

60

70

20 30 40 50 60 70SIGNAL Edge

SIG

NA

L Po

ol

b

10

-1.7

0.0

1.7

-1.7 0.0 1.7Vector 1

Vec

tor 2

A

FE

D

CB1

19

22

20

18

21 17

1516

1213

14

89

11

2

54

Redundancy between groupsProductivity

15 GPP 16 R24 17 del13C

Nutrients 18 del15N19 Bioassay control20 Bioassay N 21 Bioassay P 22 Bioassay NP

B - LanduseD - Channel conditionF - Habitat

INDICATORSPhysical/chemical

1 Temperature change2 DO change4 Conductivity 5 pH

Invertebrates8 Edge PET 9 Edge Signal11 Edge richness

Fish12 O/E13 Exotics 14 Richness

DISTURBANCESA - Chemistry C - Flow variablesE - Riparian condition

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Reporting ecosystem health

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FishInvertebrates

Phys/chem

Metabolism

Nutrients

Undisturbed site - Back Creek near Canungra

Disturbed site - Petrie Creek, Nambour

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EHMP Sites

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